Week 2 in Angel: A Grateful Start and the Power of Understanding Pain

I’m excited to be stepping into my second week at Cura Rooms in Angel, and there’s no better way to kick things off than with some kind words from a happy patient. Positive feedback not only reassures me that I’m helping people in meaningful ways, but it also highlights one of the most important principles of my practice: helping people not just feel better, but understand their pain.

“Highly recommend JJB Osteopath. Friendly and professional, made me feel completely at ease. He helped me understand why my back pain kept returning and gave me clear, practical advice and stretches. I’m already feeling so much better!”

This testimonial reflects exactly what I strive for in every session. In this blog post, I want to share a bit about what this kind of feedback means to me as a practitioner, and also explore how understanding your pain can be one of the most powerful tools in overcoming it. I’ll also detail some of the most common conditions I treat, what you can expect during your sessions, and how to take steps towards long-term relief and well-being.

Why Understanding Pain Matters as Much as Treating It

Many people who come to see me at JJB Osteopath in Angel do so because they’re frustrated. They’ve often tried painkillers, rest, stretching videos online, visits to other specialists — sometimes with temporary relief, but the discomfort eventually returns. One of the most common questions I’m asked during consultations is: “Why does this keep happening?”

That’s where the osteopathic approach makes a difference. Treating pain is important, but understanding the root cause of it — how your daily movements, posture, stress levels, past injuries, or even emotional state contribute to your symptoms — is often the turning point.

The goal isn’t just to reduce pain. It’s to give you the tools and awareness to help manage it yourself, in a sustainable way that supports your overall functioning and lifestyle. That’s when we move beyond reactive care and start creating long-term, proactive well-being.

My Approach: Person-Centred Osteopathy

When you step into my clinic, you’re not just a patient with a symptom — you’re a whole person with a unique history, lifestyle, goals, and challenges. Having worked as a sports massage therapist, and before that as a flight attendant and holiday rep, I bring real-life understanding and empathy to every appointment. My experience as a clinic tutor at the UCO further enriches my practice with the latest knowledge from the forefront of osteopathic education.

My treatment plans are rooted in a person-centred, holistic philosophy. That means I consider not only your physical body but also how factors like sleep, stress, workspace ergonomics, and physical activity levels are influencing your condition. Many times, small changes can have a huge impact — and you’ll always leave an appointment with practical strategies to support your recovery and prevention.

Common Conditions I Treat

While I see people of all backgrounds and activity levels, many of my patients come to me with one of the following issues:

• Back Pain: From chronic tension to sudden muscular strain or disc-related irritation, back pain is one of the most frequent complaints I treat. Understanding your movement patterns, posture, and strengthening weak support muscles can often resolve recurrences.
• Neck Pain: Often linked to our modern, sedentary lifestyle, neck tension can cause discomfort, stiffness, or even headaches. I work on improving mobility, reducing tension, and giving you stretches and strengthening exercises.
• Shoulder and Joint Pain: Whether it’s from repetitive strain (like computer work or physical labour), sports injury, or general wear-and-tear, treating joint pain involves balancing mechanical forces and restoring range of motion.
• Sciatica and Nerve-Related Pain: When nerves are irritated or compressed — which can happen in the lower back, neck, or elsewhere — the resulting symptoms can be painful and sometimes frightening. I specialize in identifying causes and relieving pressure with gentle, precise techniques.
• Postural Issues: Everything from poor work setup to habitual standing or walking patterns can lead to long-term aches. I’ll help you correct these habits with mindfulness, movement training, and gentle osteopathic adjustments
• Sports Injuries & Recovery: Whether you’ve rolled an ankle playing football or are dealing with ongoing knee, hip, or shoulder pain from training, I can help you recover more efficiently and reduce the risk of re-injury.
• Jaw Issues (TMJ Disorders): Often overlooked, jaw tension and dysfunction can cause pain, headaches, and even affect the neck and shoulders. Osteopathy can relieve muscle tension and improve joint alignment.
• Arthritic and Chronic Pain: Even when conditions like osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia can’t be “cured,” managing the inflammation, pain, and mechanical stress effectively can lead to significant improvements in quality of life.

What to Expect During Your Appointment

If it’s your first time seeing an osteopath, you might be wondering what an appointment involves. At JJB Osteopath, your initial consultation will take 50 minutes. That gives us plenty of time to talk about your health history, current symptoms, lifestyle, and what your goals are for treatment.

I’ll carry out a physical examination (which may involve some gentle movement or touching areas of tension) and then explain what I’ve found — not just in technical terms, but in a way that makes sense to you. I want you to leave with clarity, not more questions.

Treatment usually begins in the first session and may include techniques like joint mobilisations, soft tissue massage, stretching, muscle release, and movement re-education, all tailored to your comfort level and needs.

You’ll also receive personalised advice to continue your recovery at home. That may include simple stretches, strengthening exercises, changes to your desk setup or sleep posture, or suggestions around hydration and activity levels.

Why I Chose Angel as My Clinic Location

Cura Rooms in Angel provides the perfect calm yet central environment for thoughtful, restorative care. Located on City Road — just a few minutes’ walk from Angel Station — it’s easily accessible for those living or working in North and Central London. The space itself is modern, welcoming, and designed to help you feel at ease from the moment you arrive.

I’m there every Monday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, which makes it convenient for those wanting to fit in a session after work. Whether you’re local to Islington or commuting through the area, Cura Rooms is ideally placed to support your health without disrupting your schedule.

Pricing and Booking

At JJB Osteopath, I believe in transparent, reasonable pricing so that you can focus your energy on your recovery rather than extra stress. Here are my current rates:

• Initial Consultation (approx. 50 minutes): £80
• Follow-Up Appointments (approx. 35 minutes): £70
• Sports Massage (60 minutes): £80

You can book online easily via JJBOsteopath.co.uk or call directly on 07834 905275. Booking through Google is also available for extra convenience. If you’re unsure whether osteopathy is right for you, feel free to get in touch and I’ll be happy to have a no-obligation chat about your situation and how I might be able to help.

Looking Ahead: Building Health From the Ground Up

It’s been so fulfilling to start seeing patients in Angel and to know that people are walking out of the clinic not only with less pain, but with a stronger sense of confidence and understanding in their own bodies. That testimonial I received this week captures exactly what I aim for:

“He helped me understand why my back pain kept returning and gave me clear, practical advice and stretches…”

That kind of empowerment makes all the difference. When people truly understand what their bodies need — when they develop a language and awareness for their pain — they don’t just recover faster; they build lasting, resilient health.

Let’s Work Together

If you’re tired of temporary fixes and want to get to the foundation of your pain, I’d love to help. Whether it’s back aches, postural issues, athletic recovery, or jaw discomfort, together we can create a plan that gets you moving and feeling better — not just for a week, but for the long term.

Here’s how you can book your session at JJB Osteopath:

• When: Mondays, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
• Where: CuraRooms, 384 City Rd, London EC1V 2QA
• Book Online: JJBOsteopath.co.uk
• Call or Text: 07834 905275